Portfolio Types let you quickly see what part each SaaS app plays in your stack. They are a core element of strategic portfolio management (SPM)—helping you classify apps, cut waste, and guide future investment.
Viio’s Professional Services team can support you with tailored SPM workshops and advisory services.
What are Portfolio Types?
A Portfolio Type is an attribute you assign to an app, inspired by Gartner’s Pace‑Layered Application Strategy and similar frameworks
Viio pre‑classifies many popular SaaS tools out of the box, giving you a head‑start—but you can change our suggested type for any app at any time.
Here are the available portfolio types:
Type of system/app | When to use this type |
Core (“Systems of Record”) | Essential, stable systems that keep the business running, e.g. your CRM or ERP. Changes are rare and tightly controlled. |
Differentiation | Apps that give you an edge over competitors. They adapt to your unique processes and evolve more often. |
Innovation | New or experimental tools. They carry higher risk but let you test ideas fast. |
Cut | Apps marked for removal. They overlap with other tools or no longer add value. |
Understanding your portfolio breakdown
To see the full overview of how your SaaS portfolio breaks down into the various types, head over to the Home dashboard.
The dashboard shows you a chart visualising your Portfolio Types by;
App count: Helps you spot portfolio sprawl—too many tools in one layer can signal overlap.
Annual cost: Highlights where budget is going and where savings may hide.
Gartner recommends that mature organisations keep spending roughly:
Type | Typical share of SaaS budget¹ |
Core | 60‑70 % |
Differentiation | 20‑25 % |
Innovation | 5‑15 % |
Cut | As low as possible—ideally < 5 % |
¹ Ranges summarised from Gartner Pace‑Layered Application Strategy guidance. Adjust for your own risk appetite and growth stage.
How to use the chart
Compare vs benchmarks. Is Core creeping below 60 %? You may be under‑investing in stability.
Drill into anomalies. Click any slice to open the filtered app list and see which tools drive the spend.
Plan actions. High Innovation spend? Decide which pilots graduate to Differentiation—and mark failing ones as Cut.
Need a deeper review? Viio’s Professional Services can benchmark your spend against peers and build a right‑sized roadmap.
How to set or change a Portfolio Type
From the Apps list
Go to Apps
Find an app you want to change
Click on the column for Portfolio Type.
Select the new type
From an App’s detail page
Open the app.
In the App info panel, find Portfolio Type.
Pick a new type from the drop‑down.
Changes save instantly.
Tips and best practices
Review Portfolio Types quarterly. Move apps from Innovation to Core or Differentiation when they mature.
Tag redundant tools early with Cut to highlight quick savings.
Keep definitions consistent. Share this article with new admins.